Science activities for the busy teacher.
This blog will be participating in the A to Z challenge for April 2016. Posts are abbreviated for visitors. Pertinent links for more in-depth information are provided. Warning to non-teachers, comments will get very honest answers concerning anything unsafe to do in a classroom. Teachers would not take it personal. Neither should you. Safety is first.

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Sunday, October 13, 2013

I had a teacher in college who gave essay questions on tests. She said she wanted to know what we knew and not poke around at what we might know. As teachers we know she was dedicated. Discussion tests take more time than multiple choice to grade.

Anyway, this link is for Pew Research measuring how much people know about science. Test your scope of science knowledge. Report back how many you got right.

1.Not all deserts are hot. Most people think of deserts as hot and dry, with sparse vegetation. But many deserts are actually cold (in the Antarctic, for example), and some deserts, such as the Sonoran desert, support a wide community of plants. The thing that all deserts have in common is dryness. Most deserts have annual rainfall from less than 10 inches per year―to none.

2.There are four deserts in North America. These dry areas are the Great Basin, a cold desert found mostly in Northern AZ, NV, and UT; the Mojave Desert, in California and Arizona, which contains Death Valley, the lowest spot in the continental United States and often the hottest spot during the summer; the Chihuahuan desert, found mainly in Northeastern Mexico and Texas; and the Sonoran Desert, the lushest desert in North America, which is found primarily in Sonora, Mexico, and southern Arizona.

3.The saguaro cactus is found only in Arizona. This emblematic cactus, with its tall central trunk and expressive arms, is often used in illustrations and films as an emblem of the desert. But this very special cactus is found only in the Sonoran desert. There are a lot of old movies that are supposedly set in California or Texas, or other western states, where cowboys shoot it out among the saguaros. When you see these movies now you will know they were really filmed in Arizona or northern Mexico.

4.Part of Star Wars took place in Arizona. Most people's idea of a desert involves barren sand dunes and palm trees. The Sonoran desert in Arizona has several areas of barren sand dunes that have been the setting for dozens of movies, from Beau Geste in 1966 to Star Wars in 1977 (Tatooine).

5.The road to California used to be made out of wooden planks. The shifting sand dunes in western AZ and southeastern CA made road-building difficult in the early part of the last century. Eventually pieces of planking were attached to each other and laid on top of the dunes to support automobiles. My father used to tell me about traveling to California on the Old Board Road in a Model A Ford.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I'm using a link as my title for today's post. In North America, many varieties of Ladybugs are slowly disappearing, much like many varieties of seeds for food plants.

Diversity is the key to the health of any ecosystem.

The nature of humanity is the desire for easy answers. In teaching environmental education it is important to not teach "end of the world" science. The normal response is for people to trivialize the problem or ignore the overwhelming problems.

What I like about the Lost Ladybug project is that it engages the student in a positive way.

Monday, January 14, 2013

This blog is to share what I used over the years. I have had a few requests. Feel free to email me or send me a message via Facebook. I posted at several teacher sites on Facebook to get my blog known.
The direction the blog goes depends on what people request.

Interesting enough I have a UK visitor for every 2 American visitors. It truly is the world wide web. I have considered posting my curriculum vitae but it is too much information for someone I don't know. However, if you will email me using a school or professional email, I can email my educational and work experience.

I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology, Masters in Education and Specialist in Education degrees. I taught for 28 years in the classroom. Later I worked as a science coordinator for three years. I am a secondary teacher who eventually taught sixth grade for 12 years and taught science in grades pre-K through high school as a science coordinator.

Regretfully I left the classroom to take care of family members. I was truly blessed to be able to retire in my early fifties. This blog is a continuation of my teaching career. It keeps my mind active and hopefully helps many of you with your lesson plans.

I have other blogs in my efforts to write the Great American Novel. Whether I am successful or not is not so important as I put my truth into what I write. As a teacher, I was not perfect but I strived to bring my best to the classroom. I wish the same for you.

Safety Always

These activities are chosen and designed to be safe. The nature of an accident is it is not planned. Water is a very safe substance. Spill water on the floor, someone can slip and fall. The greatest safety rule is to Think before you Do.

I taught science for over 30 years. I had a few accidents in the classroom. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Purchasing a set of safety glasses at the dollar store is a good investment. I know parents, schools, etc shouldn't ask you to buy such. Life is all too real. If someone got hurt, you would have immense guilt.

Know your audience. There is a balance between a math teacher too afraid to let a group of students use a compass because it has a sharp point and the free for all approach some teachers use.

I've got a safety contract that I used in the classroom. Feel free to use it. The shorter and clearer the rule, the more compliance you will get. If you have that child or parent that you have to think like a Philadelphia lawyer around, realize it is an opportunity to deliver your instruction more clearly and safely.

I will post any warnings or cautions that I can think when making the posts. However, I cannot be responsible for what happens in your classroom or home. Use any of these activities at your own risk.